Waratone held on for a strong second, while Dame Claire rounded out the placings in third position.

Norsqui has now won eight of his 36 race starts and has earned more than $650,000 in prize money.

The six-year-old came off a fourth placing in the Group 3 Launceston Cup last start and proved himself as a true 3,200 metres horse in today’s 2013 Adelaide Cup.

Trainer Walter McShane was over the moon with Norsqui’s 2013 Adelaide Cup win.

“We set out to do it last year and it’s taken a lot of work but we’ve done it,” McShane said after the race.

“He ran a very good race last year at the end of a preparation.

“This time we programmed him to win it.

“I’ve had some big thrills but this is the biggest.

“I’m proud of the horse and he’s very proud of himself too.”

Norsqui was ridden by jockey Chris Symons in today’s 2013 Adelaide Cup, who was equally thrilled with the gelding’s performance.

“He ran a terrific race last year and he over raced mid race last year,” Symons said.

“He’s a lot more relaxed and that made a difference today.”

Norsqui was paying odds of $26 to win the 2013 Adelaide Cup at bookmaker.com.au.

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